Window regulator mechanism



R. G. TESSMER ETAL WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM March 19, 1957 Filed Nov. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS [P052577 6. 7235 15 March 19, 1957 TEss m ETAL 2,785,889

WINDOW REGULATOR MECJHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Filed Nov. 15, 1954 m mum INVENTORS Pa e/er G. 7Z'ssr4m y Jos PH was w armp% WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Robert G. Tessmer, Allen Park, and Joseph Pickles, Dearborn, Mich., assignors to Ferro Stamping Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application November 15, 1954, Serial No. 468,622

12 Claims. (Cl. 268-426) This invention relates generally to window regulator mechanisms of the type employed in connection with vehicle bodies for raising and lowering the windows of the bodies.

More particularly, the present invention refers to the general type of window regulator having an arm pivotally supported to one side of the vertical path of travel of a Window for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said path of travel and having means for operatively connecting the arm to the window. The operative connection between the arm and window is of a nature to effect raising and lowering of the window upon swinging the arm in opposite directions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window regulator mechanism of the above type having means responsive to downward swinging movement of the arm from its uppermost position to shift the window endwise in one direction relative to its vertical path of travel and responsive to upward swinging movement of the arm to its uppermost position to shift the window back to its original position. With this arrangement, one vertical edge of the window may be shifted away from the adjacent body structure prior to lowering the window and may be returned to a position adjacent the body structure following raising of the window by the regulator mechanism. Such action of the window would be beneficial in the design of motor vehicle bodies of the four-door type wherein the center door pillar is omitted and wherein the adjacent body structure is in the form of a second window or glass panel.

It is another object of this invention to provide a window regulator mechanism of the foregoing type having provision for slightly lowering the window prior to shifting the latter so that the top edge of the window panel is relieved from engagement with the adjacent header channel on the roof of the body when the window is shifted by the regulator mechanism.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic elevational view of a regulator mechanism embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the regulator mechanism in a different position; and

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the regulator mechanism mounting plate.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that the numeral 10 designates a window panel of the type installed on motor vehicle bodies for vertical sliding movement and the numeral 11 indicates a regulator mechanism for operating the window 10. The manner in which the window panel 10 is supported on the body structure forms no part of the present invention and hence is not shown herein. It will sufiice to point out that the window 10 is movable vertically and is hired ates Patent "ice shiftable endwise in opposite directions relative to its vertical path of travel.

The regulator mechanism 11 selected herein for the purpose of illustration is of the cross-arm type and has a mounting plate 12 fixed in any suitable manner to a part of the body structure. Carried by the mounting plate 12 is a pair of arms 13 and 14 arranged in crossing relationship. The outer end of the arm 13 has a pivot pin 15 which slidably engages a guide 16 formed in a rail 17 secured to the bottom edge of the window panel 10. The guide 16 extends lengthwise of the bottom edge of the window panel 10 and permits sliding movement of the pivot pin 15 relative to the panel 10 in directions perpendicular to the vertical path of travel of the window panel 10.

The inner end of the arm 13 carries a pivot pin 17 which is mounted on the plate 12 in a manner to permit swinging movement of the arm 13 in a plane parallel to the plane of the path of travel of the window panel 10. The inner end of the arm 13 also has an extension 18 and this extension is pivoted by a pin 19 to one end of a link 20 having the other end pivoted to a gear segment 21. The gear segment 21 is mounted on a fixed support 22 for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the arm 13 and meshes with a pinion 23 also rotatably mounted on the support 22. Any suitable means, not shown herein, may be connected to the pinion 23 for rotating the latter. Rotation of the pinion 23 in opposite directions respectively swings the arm 13 in opposite directions through the medium of the gear segment 21 and the link 20.

The outer end of the arm 14 is pivoted by a pin 24 to the rail 17 at a point spaced from the pivot pin 15 lengthwise of the bottom edge of the window panel 10. As stated above, the arm 14 crosses the arm 13 and it will be noted from Figure 1 of the drawings that the arm 14 is pivoted intermediate the ends thereof to the arm 13 by a pin 25. The inner end of the ann 14 has a pivot pin 26 which slidably engages a guide 27 extending parallel to the guide 16 and fixed in any suitable manner to the adjacent body structure. The regulator mechanism 11 previously described operates in a manner similar to conventional cross-arm types of regulators for raising and lowering the window panel 10 in response to rotation of the pinion 23 in opposite directions. However, in accordance with the present invention, the window panel 10 is shifted endwise in one direction prior to lowering the panel 10 and is shifted endwise in the opposite direction to its original position following movement of the panel 10 to its uppermost position. In'Figure l of the drawings, the window panel is shown in its final closed position and this same position is indicated by the broken lines in Figure 2 of the drawings. The full line position of the panel 10 shown in Figure 2 of the drawings indicates the position which the panel assumes after it has been shifted endwise in the direction of the arrow A and has started its downward travel.

In the present instance, the window panel 10 is shifted endwise with respect to its vertical path of travel by shifting the regulator arms 13 and 14. In detail, the mounting plate 12 is fashioned with a slot 28 elongated in the direction of endwise shifting movement of the window panel 10 and adapted to receive the pivot pin 17. The length of the slot 28 corresponds to the extent of endwise shifting movement of the window panel 10 required, and the pivot pin 17 engages the inner end of the slot 28 when the window panel 10 is in its final closed position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. However, when the window panel 10 has been shifted endwise to the full line position shown in Figure 2, the pin 17 "engages the outer. end: ofthe slot 28 and'coop'erates with the outer end of the slot to permit vertical swinging movement of the arm 13.

For the purpose of imparting endwise shifting move ment toithe window panel- -=the mountinggplate 12- is fashioned with a second slot 29 having a verticallynextending partt and having a part 131 projecting inwardly from the upper-end ofthe'part 30 in parallel relationship -to-the slot 128. The slot 29 is engaged by a;pin in the form of a follower 32 extending laterally from the arm 13 into the slot. -29. It follows from the above that the fslot 29 functions as acam forcontrolling shifting movement of the regulator arms and window panel 10.

.As'stated: above the window panel 10- is shown in its fullyclosedapositionin Figure l of-the drawings. .In :this position of the window panel 10,-the pivot pin 17 engages the inner end of the slot 28-and' thefollower 32 engages. the corresponding end ofthe part -31. of the: slot 29. As a result, operation of the pinion 23 to swing-the arm- 13 downwardly impartsa shifting movementztofthe arm 13 Juan outward direction-relative to the plate 12 until 1the pivotpin-17 engages the outer'end of the slot 28, asshown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Since the arm 14. is pivoted to the arm 13 and is connected to the windowpanel 10, it follows that the latter is also shifted outwardly with. the regulator arms. .occupiesaposition at the outer end of the slot :28,'.the

When the .pivot' pin 17 thefollower on the regulator arm 13 may travel freely in the slot 29.

As shown particularly. in Figure 3 of the drawings, the inner end of the part 31 of the slot 29'extends upwardly as indicated 'by-the reference numeral 33. The upward extension 33 receives the. follower 32 when the window panel 10 isin its fully closed position and imparts a slight downward movement to the panel 10 in response to initial downward swinging movement of the regulator arm 13 from its uppermost-position. This slight downward travel of the window panel 10 is advantageous in that it releases the top edgeof the window panel :from the adjacent-body structure before the window panel is shifted endwise from its uppermost position. The length of the vertical part 30 of the slot 29 is predetermined to enable lowering the window panel 10 to its fullyopen position and it is apparent thatwhen the regulator arm 13 is again swung upwardly, the follower travels inwardly-alongthe part 31 of the slot 29 to shift the regulator arms as wellas the panel 10 back to their original positions.

The foregoing structure may be :employed inpractically any .installationwhere itis essential to shift .the window panel: endwise ffrornl the adjacent 'body structure before .lowering the window panel "to.'its opennposition. For example, the present'invention renders it'possible to omitzthe. center pillar ofifour-door vehiclexbo'diesand to support adjacent window panels in edge'to'edge. relationship. Such an arrangement can be obtained with the present invention -withouttinterfering with the normal raising .and lowering of the window panels.

' What we claim as our invention is:

1. A regulator mechanism for a window movable vertically and shiftable-endwise %in opposite directions'extending transverselywith'respect to its vertical path of travel, comprising a stationary "mounting member supported toonesidei-of the path of traveloffthe window, an. arm supportedby-the mounting member for swingingmovement: in oppositewdirections'in a verticalplane substantially parallel towthe plane ofthe window and for horizontalrrshiftinig movement-relative: tothe mounting member in said'vertical plane, operating means connected to the arm for swinging the latter, cooperating engaging means on the arm and mounting member responsive to forces tending to swing said arm downwardly to shift the arm in one direction relative to the mounting member and responsive to forces tending to swing said arm upwardly to shift the latter in the opposite direction relative to the mounting'rnember, and means connecting said arm and window for imparting corresponding movements to the window.

2. A regulatormechanism'for a'window'movable vertically andshit'table endwise in opposite directions extending transverselywith respect to its vertical path of travel, comprising a'stationary mounting member supported to one side of the path of travel of the window, an arm supported by the mounting'memberfor swinging movement in opposite directions in a vertical plane susbtantially parallel to the plane of the window and for horizontal .shiftingmovement relative to tlieamounting member in opposite directions in saidverticaluplane, operating means connectedto the armfor swinging the-latter, an:.operative connection between the arm and window. fortrans- .mitting -themotion of the arm to. said window, .and .cooperating engagingmeans on the arm and mountingmember responsive to forces tending toproduce downward .movement ofthe arm from its. uppermost'rposition to operating engaging means on-the mounting member and arm is responsive to forces .tending to produce initial downwardswinging movement of the arm from its uppermost position to slide the window tdownwardly a limited distance prior to shifting the windowandarm inrsaid'one transverse directionrelative tothe vertical path of'travel of the window.

-4. A regulatormechanism fora window movable vertically and shiftable endwise in oppositedirections extending transversely with respect to its vertical -path of travel, comprising a mounting plate supported to one side of the path of travelof the window and having a slot elongated in a direction extending transversely of the vertical path of travel'of thewindow an arm having a pivot extending into the slotin the mounting plate to support the arm for sliding movement-lengthwise of the slot and for swinging movement ina plane substantially parallel to the,plane of the path of travel'of-the window, a'guide slotin the mounting plate having a generally "vertically aforesaid, a follower on the arm extending: into the-guide slot and cooperating withrthe latter to guide-movement of the arm :alonga path determined by thecontour of the guide slot upon swinging thearm relative -.to' the-mounting plate, means connected to the arm to apply forces thereto tending both .to. swinglandeslidelthe latter along the slot in said mounting plate, .and .an-operativecom nection between said arm and window.

5. A regulator mechanismfor a windowrmovable vertically and shiftable horizontally edgewise whilein raised position, said mechanism comprising a fixed mounting member, an operating arm, pivot means connecting said arm to said mounting memberifor swinging movement and horizontal shifting. movement in a planeparallel to the plane of the window, actuating means connected to said arm to apply simultaneously horizontal force and torque about said pivot'means thereto, connecting means for connecting said arm to 'the window to cause; the window to shift horizontally-'edgewi'se upon horizontal shifting movement of said arm and to move" vertically upon swinging movement of said arm, and control means acting between said arm and said member effective to prevent horizontal shifting movement of said arm except when the window is in raised position, and to prevent swinging movement of said arm except when at one limit of its horizontal shifting movement.

6. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 in which the said pivot means comprises an elongated horizontal slot in said member and a pin on said arm received in said slot.

7. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 in which said connecting means comprises a second arm pivoted intermediate its ends to an intermediate portion of said first mentioned arm, means to establish a pivot connection between one end of said second arm and the window, and guide means effective to limit movement of the other end of said second arm to horizontal motion.

8. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 in which said actuating means comprises a substantially horizontal rigid link pivotally connected to said arm at one side of the axis of said pivot and means for selectively pushing and pulling on said link.

9. Mechanism as defined in claim 5 in which the said pivot means comprises an elongated horizontal slot in said member and a pin on said arm received in said slot, and in which said connecting means comprises a horizontal sliding connection between an end of said arm and the window and a second arm pivoted intermediate its ends to an intermediate portion of said first mentioned arm, means to establish a pivot connection between one end of said second arm and the window, and guide means effective to limit movement of the other end of said second arm to horizontal motion.

10. A regulator mechanism for a window movable v rtically and shiftable horizontally edgewise while in raised position, said mechanism comprising a fixed mounting member, first and second crossed arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, a pin and horizontal slot connection between one end of said first arm and said member, means providing a horizontal sliding connection between the other end of said first arm and the window, a pivot connection between one end of said second arm and the window, guide means restraining the other end of said second arm to horizontal movement, additional guide means between said member and first arm preventing horizontal movement of said first arm except when said arm is in a position corresponding to raised position of the window and preventing swinging movement of said first arm except when said first arm is at one limit of its horizontal movement, and reversible means for simultaneously applying a horizontal force and a torque to said first arm.

ll. A regulator mechanism for a window movable vertically and shiftable horizontally edgewise while in raised position, said mechanism comprising crossed linkage connected to the window and shiftable horizontally as a unit to shift said window horizontally, fixed support means to which said crossed linkage is pivotally and siidaoly secured to move said window vertically, and guide means interconnecting said linkage and support means to prevent horizontal shifting of said linkage as a unit except when said window is raised and to prevent pivoting of said linkage to move said window vertically except when said window is at one limit of its horizontal movement, and means connected to said linkage to simultaneously apply a force tending to shift the linkage horizontally and a torque tending to produce pivotal and slidable movement of the linkage to effect vertical movement of the window.

12. A regulator mechanism for a window movable vertically and shiftable horizontally edgewise while in raised position, said mechanism comprising a fixed mounting member having a horizontal slot and a guide slot having a generally vertically disposed arcuate portion substantially concentric with one end of said horizontal slot and a generally horizontal portion, a first arm hav ing pins received in said slots, a second arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said first arm, a horizontal sliding connection between an end of said first arm and the window, a pivot connection between an end of said second and the window, horizontal guide means for the other end or said second arm, and means for applying simultaneously a horizontal force and a torque to said first arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,072,571 Susor Mar. 2, 1937 2,170,440 Ackermann Aug. 22, 1939 2,676,042 Roethel Apr. 20, 1954 

